Kansas State University has named Scott Eilert, an alumnus and longtime Cargill executive, head of the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry in its College of Agriculture, the university announced Wednesday.
Eilert spent 31 years with Cargill, most recently as senior director of responsible sourcing for its global food enterprise. In that job he oversaw environmental and human rights compliance and risk management across beef, chicken, corn, palm, soy and cocoa supply chains. He led the team that won approval for and built the $15 million Cargill Innovation Center, and he directed quality management at 37 U.S. and Canadian facilities. His earlier roles covered research and development, food safety, regulatory affairs and customer technical services.
"He knows this department, he knows the industries it serves, and he understands what our graduates need to succeed on day one," said Dan Moser, Eldon Gideon Dean of the College of Agriculture.
Eilert has been an adjunct professor in the department since 2010 and has helped manage Cargill's corporate partnership with K-State since 2003. He grew up on a grain and cow-calf operation south of Beloit, Kansas. He earned a bachelor's degree from K-State and master's and doctoral degrees in animal science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a past president of the American Meat Science Association and an inventor on five U.S. patents.
Eilert said his priorities include keeping curriculum and extension work in step with industry needs and helping researchers build new partnerships and funding sources. Teresa Douthit, who has been interim head since July 2025, will return to the faculty.
